Self-adjusting clamp for card-table covers



Sept. 16, 1924. 1,508,643

' F. E. BROKAW SELF ADJUSTING CLAMP FOR CARD TABLE COVERS Filed Nov. 24. 1923 Patented Sept. 16, 1924.

FRANK E. BROKAW, O'F SCI-IOFIELD BARRAGKSpTERB-ITORY OF HAWAII.

SELF-ADJUSTING CLAMP FOB, CARD-TABLE COVERS.

Application filed November 24, 1923. Seria'l No. 676,847.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. BROKAW, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Schofield Barracks, in the county of Oahu and Territory of Hawaii, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self- Adjusting Clamps for Card-Table Covers,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to detachable clamps for table covers for card tables, by

which the cover may be temporarily securely held in place, and may be readily and quick- 1y applied and removed.

An object of the invention to provide a means by which a removable table cloth or similar cover may be readily secured,'temporarily to a card table, and be as quickly removed;

A further object is to provide a means for holding the cloth that will not-require passing pins, or other securing means, through the cloth;

A further object is to provide a means that is ornamental in appearance, and that will not scratch the table, nor catch hold of the clothing of a person sitting at the table;

A further object is to provide suitable ornamental handles by which the clamps may be attached and detached;

Further objects will appear on reading the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a pair of clamps, showing the plates or faces of ornamental design, and the attached elastic means connecting the plates or faces, also the attached handles by means of which the clamp may be applied to the table;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, showing the bent tang at the lower extremity of the plate or face, and the pressed-out loop to which the handle is secured and also showing the broad hooked end which engages the edge of the cloth and the rim or molding of the card table;

Fig. 8 is a view of a section of a table, showing one of the clamps holding the cloth in place;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views in perspective of a corner of a card table, with the clamps in place, and showing the elastic spring stretched behind the table leg;

Fig. 6 is a View in perspective of a clamp showing the pressed-out loop with openings above and below, through which a link passes to carry a handle, and also the bentout lower tang by which the elastic memberis attached; a

Figs. 7, 8, 9,10, and 11 are a section and front views of different ornamental designs of clamps.

Fig. l2 i's a modification showing other 1 ways of attaching ahandle and the spring.

In Figs. 1 and 6, the clamp is shown to consist of a pair of clamping plates or face pieces 1, which may be of any suitable ma terial such as sheet metal, having a broad hooked top, 2, Fig. 6, and shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, anda bent-out lower end or tang, 3, to which an elastic member such as a helicalspring, or a piece of rubber, 4, is

attached by a suitable link. Tnthe body of the plate or face of the clamp 1, is a pressed outportion, or loop, 6, with perforations 7 above and below, and through which a link '8 passes, the link supporting a suitable loosely connected ornamental handle, such as'a tassel 9. lVhile this handle 9 is shown linked through a loop, it may be loosely secured by any other suitable means, such as by soldering or brazing a link 10 of a short length of chain 11 to the plate or face of the clamp, Fig. 12, the chain serving as the handle. The. lower tang of the clamp may also pressed and secured.

have a link 12- soldered or brazed thereon, the elastic spring 13 being attached thereto.

The inside surface of the plate 1 is smooth, or flush, there being no projections, or links, extending therefrom which may possibly scratchthe side of the table, or become entangled in the table-cloth.

The plate or face may have any suitable shape, or design, for example as shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, the plates may represent the suits of a deck of cards. Private coats of arms, or other heraldic devices, may also be used as designs for the plates.

Card tables as enerally made, have a wood frame 16, ig. 3, upon and within which is placed the table top 17 the frame 16 is provided with a deep groove 18, into which the edges of the table cover are This construction leaves a groove, or depression all around the edge of the table, just inside the edge or molding of the'frame. It is customary to round off the top edge ofthe frame, as

of the clamp, and serves to firmly engage the table cover 15.

at all of the corners of the table.

In use, the table-cloth 15 is spread on the card table 16 and one of the plates of the clamps is pressed down on the edge of the table 16, the broad hook 2 pressing the cloth along the groove adjoining the wood frame,

as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The other plate is then grasped by its handle 9 and is passed behind the table leg, Figz' l, and the elastic member 4 stretched until the plate is placedon the other side of. the table, as shown in Fig. '5. The operation is repeated Theibroad hooks of the clamps provide a large sin.- face for engaging the table cloth,ivithout risk of tearing or otherwise disfiguring any part of the table or cloth;

I claim:

1. In adetachable clamp for'table covers, a clamping plate, said plate provided with a broad hooked end, said plate having a flush inner surface, a bent out tang at the lower end of said plate, an elastic member attached to said tang, and a loose handle secured to the face of said plate.

2. In a detachable clamp for table covers,

a clamping plate, said plate provided with a broad hooked end, said plate having a flush inner surface, perforations in said plate, the metallic web between said perform tions being pressed out into a loop, a link engaging said loop, and a handle attached to said link. I

3. In a detachable clamp for table covers, a clamping plate, said plate provided with a broad hooked end, said plate having a flush inner surface, perforations in said plate, the. metallic web between said perforations being pressed out into a loop, a handle suspended from said loop, the lower end of saidplate bent outward, and an elastic member suspended from said end.

4. In a detachable clamp for table covers, a pair of clamping plates, an elastic ineinber connecting said clamping plates, plateshaving inner surfaces free from projections, and a loosely attached handle on each of said plates.

5. In a detachable clamp for table covers,

a pair of clamping plates, a broad hooked end on each of said plates, said plates joined together by an elastic member, said plates having inn-er surfaces free from .project tions, perforations in each of said plates, the

metallic web between said perforations being pressed out into a loop and a handle suspended from said loop.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

. FRANK E. BROKAIV.

said 7 

